In 2011, Acorda Therapuetics, a leader in pharmaceuticals for nervous system disorders, teamed up with National Disability Institute and the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, to sponsor a Financial Wellness webinar series and survey of people living with Multiple Scleroris (MS). The survey results uncovered major areas of need for those living with MS, regarding financial wellness and common financial practices and helped shaped the content of the Financial Wellness Webinar series.

As a result of the survey, we learned:

67 percent of respondents reported their financial lives are worse after MS diagnosis.

79 percent have difficulty meeting monthly expenses.

More than half of respondents worry that earnings or savings will negatively impact public benefits.

More than half have no trusted point of contact for financial information or rely on family for advice.

Nearly 74 percent were neither aware of nor had used available financial stabilization programs.

61 percent reported an annual household income under $50,000.

2015/2016 Financial Wellness Program

In December 2015, National Disability Institute, with support from Acorda Therapeutics, will launch the fifth annual Financial Wellness Program, designed to help people living with disabilities plan for their financial futures. In previous years, the program was designed to better inform and empower persons living with MS and mainly consisted of a series of webinars. This year, the Program will be developed for people living with a wider range of disabilities and will include webinars as well as new e-learning courses and video content.

There are numerous underutilized tax deductions and credits available to individuals with disabilities an their families. For example, the Earned Income Tax Credit has been said to be the most effective anti-poverty measure in America, lifting 6.2 million above the poverty line in 2013. Join this webinar to learn about favorable tax credits as well as the numerous reliable resources for completing your tax returns for FREE.

Join this webinar, presented by Social Security subject matter expert Kevin Nickerson, to learn basic criteria the Social Security Administration examines for SSDI eligibility and work incentives available to disability beneficiaries that allow for a successful transition to work. Participants will also learn how health insurance is protected during the transition to work under Social Security.

2014 Financial Wellness Webinar Series

This fall, join National Disability Institute for a fourth webinar series sponsored by Acorda, featuring four (4) 90-minute webinars on important financial wellness topics for persons with disabilities. Please note that all webinars will be captioned, and a recorded archive will be available following the live presentation.

Individuals with disabilities are two times more likely to live at low-incomes compared to their non-disabled peers. Navigating bills and benefits while managing an illness can be overwhelming. Hear from an expert certified credit counselor and financial coach as we address the importance of: getting financially organized, setting financial goals, identifying spending habits, and tracking spending. This webinar will also introduce our complimentary e-learning course to help evaluate and eliminate debt.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits help millions of American’s that are unable to work gainfully due to disability. This webinar will highlight the basic criteria the Social Security Administration examines for eligibility, and will focus on Work Incentives available to disability beneficiaries that allow for a successful transition to work. Participants will also learn how health insurance is protected during the transition to work under both programs.

Credit affects many aspects of our lives that we may not even realize. Join NDI and hear from experts on the interplay of credit and finances from National Disability Institute and on protecting your money from the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an independent agency of the United States government responsible for consumer protection in the financial sector. Establishing and maintaining good credit will help in reaching goals (short-term, intermediate, and long-term). Maintaining credit involves many aspects of our financial lives including, but not limited to, setting up a bill paying system to ensure that obligations are met on time, as well as prioritizing debts with a plan of reduction or outright elimination. We will also explore the safest ways to access your credit report, check the accuracy of information, and understand your credit score and standing.

Start the New Year off on the right financial foot. Join us as we discuss free tax preparation resources and credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) that can help you keep more of what earn, the importance of assessing past and future financial goals, and changes in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that could affect you in 2015. Expert speakers will identify favorable tax provisions, discuss why using tax time is good time of year for a financial review, and identify ways to utilize all available resources to improve your financial well-being for a prosperous 2015.

2013 Financial Wellness Webinar Series

This fall, join National Disability Institute for a third webinar series sponsored by Acorda, featuring six (6) 90-minute webinars on important financial wellness topics for persons with disabilities. Please note that all webinars will be captioned, and a recorded archive will be available following the live presentation.

Developing and charting a course to financial wellness begins with financial education. The US Department of Treasury reports that a lack of financial literacy is one barrier that can lower standards of living and limit prosperity. There are opportunities online and in your community to support you in being financially fit and money smart.

Join us on 7/17/13 to learn about:

Free financial education opportunities that you can attend online or in your community.

The benefits of developing a path towards financial wellness by increasing your knowledge through financial education.

Are you interested in owning your own home? Or perhaps you already own your home and want to learn more about low-cost, fiscally sound options for refinancing or modifying your home. Join us to learn about potential resources and financial solutions for these options.

Many individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) may want to return to work but are concerned about the impact entering the workforce may have on their public benefits. In many cases, there are programs and ways individuals receivng SSDI may to return and still keep some or all of your cash and health benefits. Learn more information through this webinar to determine if retuning to work may be a good choice for you or someone you know.

Prolonging Work Supports to Keep You on the Job, October 16, 2013 3:00 - 4:30 P.M. EST

Working is very important to many individuals. The onset of a disability may make it more difficult to continue working in the same capacity as prior to a diagnosis. There may be numerous resources available through you employer, disability insurance provide or others to provide supports for continuing employment.

Before making the decision to decrease or end employment, join us on 10/16/13 to learn about:

There are numerous underutilized tax deductions and credits available to individuals with disabilities an their families. For example, the Earned Income Tax Credit has been said to be the most effective anti-poverty measure in America, lifting lifted 5.4 million above the poverty line in 2010. In addition to favorable tax credits there are numerous reliable resources for completing your tax returns for FREE.

View the live captioning transcript for the "Favorable Tax Deductions for Individuals with Disabilities" webinar (available soon)

2012 Financial Wellness Webinar Series

Being Money Smart, September 5, 2012 3:00 - 4:30 P.M. EST

The US Department of Treasury reports that a lack of financial literacy is one barrier that can lower standards of living and limit prosperity. There are opportunities online and in your community to support you in Being Money Smart.

Join us on 9-5-12 to learn about:

Free financial education opportunities that you can attend online or in your community.

The benefits of Financial Literacy and how increasing your knowledge may increase your Financial Wellness.

Prolonging Work - Supports To Keep You On The Job, September 26, 20123:00 - 4:30 P.M. EST

Making the decision to decrease or end employment can become confusing as factors such as health, insurance, productivity and financial stability brush against each other. Your employer and disability insurance provider may have more support to offer than you think. REGISTER FOR "Prolonging Work - Supports to Keep You On The Job"

Social Security Disability Insurance – The Impact of Work on Benefits, October 17, 20123:00 - 4:30 P.M. EST

Individuals who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) may want to return to work but are worried about the impact of work on public benefits. With good information you can make the choice to work and you may still keep some or all of your cash and health benefits.

Supplemental Security Income – The Impact of Work on Benefits, November 7, 20123:00 - 4:30 P.M. EST

Individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may want to return to work but are worried about the impact of work on public benefits. With good information you can make the choice to work and you may still keep some or all of your cash and health benefits.

Join us on 11-7-12 to learn about:

Eligibility for SSI

How earnings affect SSI eligibility

Work Incentives that help you earn more and keep more of your cash benefit

The Earned Income Tax Credit is the most effective anti-poverty measure in America, lifting 5.4 million above the poverty line in 2010. Research notes that the EITC it still underutilized by individuals with disabilities.

Saving and Investing – For Workers and For Individuals on Public Benefits, December 19, 20123:00 - 4:30 P.M. EST

Tools for individuals with financial needs are available in every community but frequently go under-utilized by individuals with disabilities particularly those with hidden disabilities. Tapping into available services and exploring ways to save and invest are great ways to increase your financial wellness through savings.